Some Nigeria nurses has taken legal action against the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) and the Minister of Health, along with other relevant authorities, over newly revised certificate verification guidelines.
The dispute arises from the NMCN’s issuance of a circular on February 7, 2024, outlining updated protocols for verifying certificates for nurses and midwives.
According to the revised guidelines, applicants seeking verification of certificates from foreign nursing boards and councils must have two years of post-qualification experience from the date of issuance of the permanent practicing license. These guidelines came into effect on March 1, 2024.
In response to the changes, nurses in Abuja and Lagos staged protests demanding the reversal of the new guidelines.
Additionally, the dissatisfied nurses, represented by Desmond Aigbe, Kelvin Ossai, Catherine Olatunji-Kuyoro, Tamunoibi Berry, Osemwengie Osagie, Abiola Olaniyan, Idowu Olabode, and Olumide Olurankinse, filed a lawsuit against the Registrar and the NMCN, as well as the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, the Federal Ministry of Health, and the Attorney General of the Federation.
The complainants are seeking legal intervention to halt the implementation of the NMCN circular pending the determination of the suit. They also request the suspension of the commencement of the new guidelines.
During the court proceedings on Wednesday, counsel for the complainants, Ode Evans, informed the court about receiving a preliminary objection filed by the first and second defendants. Evans requested an adjournment to prepare responses to the objection.
In response, Justice Osatohanmwen Obaseki-Osaghae adjourned the matter until May 20 for a hearing. She also ordered that the hearing notice be served on the Federal Ministry of Health and the Attorney General of the Federation, who were not represented in court.
